Taylor happy with response

Ex-Dolphin says fans have been supportive

HOLLYWOOD — Jason Taylor, who agreed on April 20 to a two-year deal with the Jets, said feedback around South Florida has largely been positive regarding a career choice he didn't want to make.

On his way into the charity event that bears his name, Jason Taylor stopped to sign a couple of New York Jets mini-helmets early Sunday evening.

Taylor didn't recoil in mock horror.

Nor did the few dozen curious onlookers who stood outside Martorano's Italian-American Kitchen for the white carpet entrance of NFL celebrities and others on the guest list of close to 500.

Nearly four weeks after he gave up on the idea of finishing his Hall of Fame career with the Dolphins, Taylor is growing more comfortable by the day with his new employer.

"That's probably the fourth or fifth [helmet] I've signed," Taylor said. "I haven't gone a whole lot of places so I haven't had a chance to be signing a whole lot. I almost signed 'No. 99.' I had to remember I'm not sure what number I am yet."

Veteran linebacker Bryan Thomas still owns that jersey number with the Jets. For now, Taylor is listed on the team's official Website roster with a dash where his number should be.

Taylor, who agreed on April 20 to a two-year deal with the Jets, said feedback around South Florida has largely been positive regarding a career choice he didn't want to make.

"I guess the people that don't support it or aren't happy with me don't say anything, but the support has been overwhelming," Taylor said, wife Katina by his side. "People have been saying great things and have really been behind us and understand it's part of life, part of the game."

Taylor will headline Monday's charity golf event at Grande Oaks Golf Club in Davie before heading to Florham Park, N.J., where he will join the Jets on Tuesday for the second day of Organized Team Activities.

He said his surgically repaired shoulder is coming along fine, and he expects to be able to do all the non-contact work typical of OTAs.

How the longtime Jets rival will be received in the New York area is another matter.

"I haven't been out a whole lot in New York," he said. "I'm not sure what they're saying yet. Haven't read a lot of the press. It's fine. It will be fine. You go make a few plays and hopefully they embrace me."

He smiled and provided his own punch line.

"What I don't want is to get booed at home and on the road," he said. "We'll see how that goes in our opener. We'll see how that goes when I come down here [Sept. 26 on Sunday night]."